Scan barcode
tommye's review against another edition
adventurous
lighthearted
mysterious
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
frootjoos's review
4.0
I don't know if everyone will like this book. I like it from a writerly standpoint and knowing that it is written for the Independent Reader level (about 8 to 12 years old).
There are passages I want to read over and over because they are beautifully written--poetic prose, if you will. Basil is a lovable little character, and I also love the World Tree element that keep cropping up in children's literature nowadays (for example, in [author: Michael Scott]'s [book: The Alchemyst] and [author: Joanne Harris]'s [book: Runemarks]). All in all I would describe this book as very pensive, and quotable. There's something I want to quote in just about every chapter.
However, readers expecting some sort of quickly plotted narrative, or a boy-girl romance, will be disappointed. There are barely even humaoid characters in here!
The plot/theme ranges from the very basic (Who am I? What am I? Where am I now?!? Ack, get away from me, predator!) to the nebulous and philosophical (Why am I so small? I want to be big!! Wait, is it ok to be small? Am I supposed to be something someday that I am not now, or do I need to become content with myself as I am?) and I know a lot of readers who will be looking only for movie-like action-adventure big explosions, etc. To those people I say, go read the Inheritance series, much good may it do you.
I loved this book. I'm going to read it again.
There are passages I want to read over and over because they are beautifully written--poetic prose, if you will. Basil is a lovable little character, and I also love the World Tree element that keep cropping up in children's literature nowadays (for example, in [author: Michael Scott]'s [book: The Alchemyst] and [author: Joanne Harris]'s [book: Runemarks]). All in all I would describe this book as very pensive, and quotable. There's something I want to quote in just about every chapter.
However, readers expecting some sort of quickly plotted narrative, or a boy-girl romance, will be disappointed. There are barely even humaoid characters in here!
The plot/theme ranges from the very basic (Who am I? What am I? Where am I now?!? Ack, get away from me, predator!) to the nebulous and philosophical (Why am I so small? I want to be big!! Wait, is it ok to be small? Am I supposed to be something someday that I am not now, or do I need to become content with myself as I am?) and I know a lot of readers who will be looking only for movie-like action-adventure big explosions, etc. To those people I say, go read the Inheritance series, much good may it do you.
I loved this book. I'm going to read it again.
skyeblue1737's review against another edition
4.0
This was a spectacular book. I am a huge fan of his Merlin books (both Lost Years and Great Tree of Avalon). His environments are rich and diverse. His take on Merlin's life, his side of some of my absolute favorite myths and legends, is one of my favorites.
But I also loved this story, filling in the gap between those two series. The tale was sweet and inspiring, just like the other two. It took a while for the plot to take flight, but once it did, it was quite engaging.
But I also loved this story, filling in the gap between those two series. The tale was sweet and inspiring, just like the other two. It took a while for the plot to take flight, but once it did, it was quite engaging.
hickorynut's review against another edition
adventurous
hopeful
inspiring
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
This was the first book in this series that wasn't told from Merlin's perspective and I was surprised to find how much I enjoyed it. Getting to go on a grand journey with such a small creature unaware of their importance was lovely. It was fairly easy to piece together what was going to happen but some details pleasantly surprised me with a twist. Basil's story will be one I return to for comfort.
nerfherder86's review
4.0
Tiny little green lizard/bat/thingy Basil lives in Avalon, the magical tree-realm created by Merlin. All Basil wants to do is avoid being eaten by all the larger creatures in Avalon, like the dragons. Oh, and find out what kind of creature he is and whether or not there are any others of his kind out there. But he also gets caught up in a search to find the wizard Merlin to warn him of impending danger. And along the way he travels literally on the wind and learns lessons about friendship and self-worth.
tigerlinus's review against another edition
4.0
Can't believe I liked an 'animal can talk and reason' book, but it was one of the best in this series so far. Really enjoyed the character Basilgarrad, and the friendship between Basil and Aylah. Merlin as a minor character - searching for him in the background - works beautifully.
elderkinhv's review against another edition
adventurous
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5
justine_h's review against another edition
adventurous
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
4.0
lindsical's review against another edition
3.0
Not quite as thrilling as the first five books of the Merlin saga and a bit slow on the uptake, but I enjoyed this book well enough. I hope now that we've been through the long introduction of a new primary character the rest of the books will pick up a bit more.
easolinas's review against another edition
4.0
One of the more memorable supporting characters of the Great Tree of Avalon trilogy was Batty Lad, Tamwyn's chatty winged companion.
And having finished that trilogy, T.A. Barron zips back in time to explore the history of that quirky little character, and his relationship to the legendary wizard Merlin. "The Dragon of Avalon" runs a bit slow at first, but speeds up to some surprising revelations about the mysterious little winged lizard who wants to be "special. Just... special."
At the very beginning of Avalon, a wind sister rescues and cares for a tiny egg -- which hatches a little winged lizard with a knobby tail.
Barely surviving in a dangerous world, the little lizard has a near miss with a heron, who reveals that little Basil has the ability to make smells. Unfortunately Basil also has a nightmare about the legendary wizard Merlin, in which he is killed by a bat-winged creature who looks a lot like Basil himself. Over the years, he tries to tell Merlin many times but kept getting interrupted.
Unfortunately, Basil's strange dream is not the only problem -- after an encounter with the god Dagda, he learns that the evil Rhita Gawr has managed to infiltrate the newborn world of Avalon. And though he's still only a bat-winged little lizard, Basil may be the one who can save Avalon -- and maybe, just maybe, figure out what he really is.
"The Dragon of Avalon" is a bit of a nostalgia ride for those who have read Barron's last two trilogies -- he writes of things only hinted at in the Great Tree of Avalon trilogy, such as Merlin's wedding to his deer-girlfriend Hallia. And there are plenty of familiar and semi-familiar faces -- Shim the giant, Gwynnia the dragon, the Dagda, Nuic the maryth, the Grand Elusa, and many others. Even a "mooshlovely" ballymag makes a cameo.
The first third of the book is a relatively slow-moving part -- it's mostly poor little Basil repeatedly avoiding dangerous creatures and trying to figure out what he is. With the reemergence of Rhita Gawr, things speed up considerably as Basil careens into magical new realms. And it all climaxes with his battle with a magic-sucking monster and the realization of what he truly is -- although the whole conflict with Rhita Gawr is only hinted at and never really gets done in here.
And Barron's lush, mildly humorous prose is still rich with woodsy language, full of trees, leaves, wild creatures and the scent of damp earth and flowing rivers. Even more impressive, he's able to convincingly take readers into the mind and feelings of a little lizard with batwings -- not an easy feat, especially since his past heroes have been human.
A kind and wise Merlin is a vital character in this story, and we get to see him marry, become a father, and protect Avalon. But the real star here is Basil, who can be a bit whiny but is overall quite brave and gutsy when he has a real task to perform. And he provides a bit of comedy too -- such as when he gets into a brawl with a baby dragon.
"The Dragon of Avalon" is a rich, promising fantasy story about a very unlikely little hero, and bodes well for future books about the little "dragon fairy."
And having finished that trilogy, T.A. Barron zips back in time to explore the history of that quirky little character, and his relationship to the legendary wizard Merlin. "The Dragon of Avalon" runs a bit slow at first, but speeds up to some surprising revelations about the mysterious little winged lizard who wants to be "special. Just... special."
At the very beginning of Avalon, a wind sister rescues and cares for a tiny egg -- which hatches a little winged lizard with a knobby tail.
Barely surviving in a dangerous world, the little lizard has a near miss with a heron, who reveals that little Basil has the ability to make smells. Unfortunately Basil also has a nightmare about the legendary wizard Merlin, in which he is killed by a bat-winged creature who looks a lot like Basil himself. Over the years, he tries to tell Merlin many times but kept getting interrupted.
Unfortunately, Basil's strange dream is not the only problem -- after an encounter with the god Dagda, he learns that the evil Rhita Gawr has managed to infiltrate the newborn world of Avalon. And though he's still only a bat-winged little lizard, Basil may be the one who can save Avalon -- and maybe, just maybe, figure out what he really is.
"The Dragon of Avalon" is a bit of a nostalgia ride for those who have read Barron's last two trilogies -- he writes of things only hinted at in the Great Tree of Avalon trilogy, such as Merlin's wedding to his deer-girlfriend Hallia. And there are plenty of familiar and semi-familiar faces -- Shim the giant, Gwynnia the dragon, the Dagda, Nuic the maryth, the Grand Elusa, and many others. Even a "mooshlovely" ballymag makes a cameo.
The first third of the book is a relatively slow-moving part -- it's mostly poor little Basil repeatedly avoiding dangerous creatures and trying to figure out what he is. With the reemergence of Rhita Gawr, things speed up considerably as Basil careens into magical new realms. And it all climaxes with his battle with a magic-sucking monster and the realization of what he truly is -- although the whole conflict with Rhita Gawr is only hinted at and never really gets done in here.
And Barron's lush, mildly humorous prose is still rich with woodsy language, full of trees, leaves, wild creatures and the scent of damp earth and flowing rivers. Even more impressive, he's able to convincingly take readers into the mind and feelings of a little lizard with batwings -- not an easy feat, especially since his past heroes have been human.
A kind and wise Merlin is a vital character in this story, and we get to see him marry, become a father, and protect Avalon. But the real star here is Basil, who can be a bit whiny but is overall quite brave and gutsy when he has a real task to perform. And he provides a bit of comedy too -- such as when he gets into a brawl with a baby dragon.
"The Dragon of Avalon" is a rich, promising fantasy story about a very unlikely little hero, and bodes well for future books about the little "dragon fairy."